2006 Ford S-Max Zetec 2.0 TDCi turbo diesel from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Practical and comfortable, but plagued by niggling and expensive electrical problems
Faults:
Water ingress into alarm backup sounder (110000 miles). Quite amusing in that the windscreen wipers would come on at random times, and were impossible to turn off without removing the fuse (even stopping the engine and turning the ignition off didn't help). £400-odd to rectify.
Water ingress into GPS antenna (118000 miles) made the car think it was in Belgium - £30 for new aerial unit (DIY fitted).
Failed RF receiver module in central locking system (122000 miles) meant remote key fobs didn't work. £160 + diagnostic fee to fix.
Cruise control operation intermittent. Apparently due to faulty clock-spring in the steering wheel. Not fixed yet (but would be £180 + diagnostic charge).
Oil leak on intercooler pipe. Dealer quoted £60 to 'investigate' without guaranteeing a fix. I fixed it with a screwdriver and a rag in about 10 minutes.
Previous owner had steering rack and clutch/DMF replaced.
Lacquer on diamond cut alloys deteriorated and alloys corroded.
General Comments:
Incredibly practical. Can seat 7 adults in reasonable comfort with room for some luggage.
Not bad to drive - nearly as refined on the motorway as my old A6, and the seats are comfortable. Quite involving, and responds well to being driven like a hooligan for such a heavy car, but it pitches and rolls a bit in the corners.
Quite quick for what it is, although the power delivery is quite laggy (compared to several VAG TDIs I've owned).
Well built, although claims that the build quality are in the same league as an A4 should be taken with a pinch of salt - it's good, but not that good! (trim still feels a bit flimsy and the doors make a hollow sound when closed)
Very wide - standard parking spaces are a bit narrow for comfort.
All in all, an ideal family car, when we looked at MPVs it seemed the best choice (among some pretty dire alternatives). For an MPV, it's very good to drive, although claims that it is good compared to cars are a bit optimistic (I've driven a Mondeo based on the same platform which went and handled better).
It is very competent and well designed and exactly what we need for a family car, but I'm a bit disappointed with the electrical issues we've had.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 27th August, 2011
2nd Jul 2012, 00:15
Nearly a year on from the original review, and I have got rid of it.
It has spent 6 weeks off the road this year, and has broken down 3 times, leaving my wife and children stranded.
The issues since the last review include:
- Catastrophic failure of the diesel pump (I had it rebuilt by a specialist for a comparatively bargain price of £700!)
- A non-specific problem with the injectors, which caused the car not to start. Cured by a software update. I'm not entirely sure I understand how a software update could have cured it, but it seemed to.
- Remote central locking failed again.
- Anti roll bar bushes replaced (fair enough at 130,000 miles).
- Failure of the second DMF!
It was the failure of the second DMF that was the final straw. We've had other cars with DMFs (mostly VAG) for many more miles than the S-Max, and had no problems, so I'm not convinced that it's wear and tear.
After a quick tot-up, it has cost nearly £3k just to keep on the road for two years.
Having got to know the local diesel specialist quite well, it appears that a lot of the issues we have had are by no means unusual for a diesel S-Max or Mondeo.
It was meticulously maintained, had everything that needed doing done, and preventative maintenance where necessary. I have never had a car break down and leave me stranded before (and my driving career started in a 1970s Triumph), and this has happened 3 times in the past year to a 5 year old car.
Unless you are a diesel mechanic, and an automotive electrician with deep pockets who is up for a challenge, I really can't recommend buying an S-Max. It is a great idea, but terribly engineered and built.